British tycoon Branson, prominent figures plead with Singapore for Nagaenthran’s life

British billionaire Richard Branson has joined hands with actor Stephen Fry and disability rights activist Timothy Shriver to plead for Singapore authorities to show mercy to Nagaenthran K Dharmalingam ahead of his impending execution in the island republic.

In a video addressed to Singapore President Halimah Yacob and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, the trio urged them to spare Nagaenthran, with Branson cautioning of a hit to Singapore’s business reputation.

“Singapore has always led from the front when it comes to the rights of people with disabilities and championing their inclusion in society,” he said.

Fry meanwhile said that Nagaenthran’s execution would “cast a dark shadow on many of those commitments”.

“That’s a great risk to your country’s reputation in the world – including its reputation in the world of business,” Branson added.

Branson had on two previous occasions spoken against Nagaenthran’s controversial execution for the offence of trafficking a small amount of heroin into Singapore.

On Nov 8 last year, he said Nagaenthran’s conviction was just one example of cases around the world where poor people forced to courier drugs to make a living had to bear “fatal consequences” while the real culprits continued to thrive with their lucrative illicit business.

In January, meanwhile, responding to a lengthy letter from Singapore’s home affairs ministry over his public criticism, he maintained that the Singapore government “would do very well just to get rid of the death penalty altogether”.

Nagaenthran is scheduled to be executed on April 27 after losing multiple attempts to halt the death sentence handed down to him in 2010.

Supporters say Nagaenthran has an IQ of 69 – a level recognised as a disability – and was coerced into committing the crime.

He was scheduled to be hanged in November last year but the verdict sparked criticism due to concerns he has intellectual disabilities, with the European Union and British billionaire Richard Branson among those condemning the decision.

Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah and Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob were among Malaysian government leaders who had also written to Singapore authorities asking for leniency on behalf of Nagaenthran.

Nagaenthran’s latest petition for clemency was rejected on March 31, two days after the Court of Appeal dismissed his appeal against his death sentence.

Shriver, who is also chairman of Special Olympics, the world’s largest sports organisation for children and adults with intellectual and physical disabilities, said the eyes of the world were on Singapore.

“Only a presidential pardon can stop his execution,” Branson added. “I am joining many around the world in asking you to use your powers to grant Nagaenthran clemency.”

More than 100,000 people so far have signed a petition calling on Halimah to grant Nagaenthran a presidential pardon.

UK-based legal group Reprieve said Nagaenthran’s case had sparked “unprecedented levels of opposition” to the death penalty.

“Killing someone who clearly lacks mental competency will directly undermine Singapore’s efforts to champion the rights of persons with disabilities,” its director Maya Foa said.

“President Halimah, please do not deny Nagaenthran the compassion and solidarity your government has shown to people with disabilities like him. Grant him clemency or transfer him to Malaysia, where he may receive family support and care for his condition and his deteriorating mental state.”